WO1991012494A1 - Dispenser on a bulk material container - Google Patents

Abstract

A sliding device (1) for dispensing a quantity of bulk material corresponding to a dispensing volume (11) can slide on a bulk goods container (62) for granular or powdered material so that, in a loading position, the container space (51) communicates via an outlet opening (39) with the dispensing space (11). In an emptying position, on the other hand, the sliding device is pressed upward and the outlet opening (39) is closed, but a dispensing opening (34) in the dispensing space is opened. The sliding device is actuated by an actuating device (38, 54) in, or parallel to, the axis (A) of the container.

Description

Dosing device on a bulk container

The invention relates to a metering device according to the preamble of claim 1.

Metering devices of this type are known in numerous designs and for a wide variety of purposes. For example, metering devices can be found on vending machines in which a container for a powder, such as coffee or cocoa, is arranged above a box-like metering container which can be displaced transversely to the axis of the container (cf. US Pat. Nos. 3,393,838, 3,744,865 or 3,805,999). . The guidance of such a metering container is relatively short, so that it often tends to jam, and the walls arranged transversely to the displacement movement (due to friction of the metering container walls on them) are also subjected to a certain amount of stress. Moreover, such constructions are not universally applicable without great disadvantages. Especially in the household, and here in particular for dispensing powdered baby food, there is the problem of the lack of stability which entails that the container must be held with one hand while the other hand tries to pull the container. Not only does the housewife not always have two hands free at work, part of the powder is often spilled. This will be particularly the case with baby feeding. It is also known for this latter purpose to empty the container into a measuring beaker or the like. Dosing container, with essentially the same disadvantages.

Finally, it is already known to provide zellenradähnliche metering in which, although improves the guidance in its cylinder housing and the risk of spillage is avoided i general, but in which ^"but also occurs at least in the household, the problem of two ändigen operation, since one hand has to hold the container, while the other hand turns on a corresponding operating handle, such as a rotary knob, gag or the like.

The present invention has for its object to provide a reliable and easy to use metering device of the type mentioned. According to the invention, it succeeds through the characterizing features of claim 1.

Because the actuation takes place in the direction of the container axis, the latter can be supported against an object, such as a table top or the vessel already containing the liquid components, and the actuating handle can be gripped with one hand, or vice versa. In any case, the actuating movement of the container tends to stabilize it, although it is also easy to provide a good and smoothly sliding guide for the dosing container so that it can easily move from one position to the other.

SATZB _L ATT

HE A training according to Claim 2 offers particular advantages, because in this way, no matter how large the metering space, no large masses need to be moved and actuated, which further contributes to stability.

A one-hand operation, especially in the household, is particularly beneficial if the features of claim 5 are realizable, then a distance d slide device automatically under the action of the loading device (spring, rubber body or the like is run through. This could be in principle, the opposite direction is also achieved by holding the slide device in the loading position against the force of the loading device with the help of an Ra, which can be triggered by a handle or another actuating device - very similar to what happens with automatic umbrellas However, if larger masses are to be moved, there is a risk with such a procedure that the slide device will open at the end of its path under the force of the load device and at the same time Schüttg ver Loren.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the features of claim 6 are provided by which it is possible for the first time to adapt the content of the dosing space to different bulk goods and / or different conditions (for example, increasing amounts with increasing age of a baby).

_ERSA TZBLATT The measures according to claim 7 also serve to improve stability.

From the above explanations it can be seen that the metering device according to the invention is suitable for all possible fields of application, as well as for vending machines, but that its particular advantages unfold within the meaning of claim 8.

Further details of the invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments shown schematically in the drawing. Show it

Fig. 1 shows the right side of a container axis of a symmetrical container located Tei l together invention SSER Dosiervorπ ^'rect in an axial longitudinal section,

2 shows a funnel in an axial top view,

Fig. The funnel shown in Fig. 2 in side view and partially cut.

Fig. A slider in side view and partially cut,

4 shows a section along the line V-V according to FIG. 4,

Fig. A dosing body in side view and partially cut along the line VI-VI of Fig. 7,

EBSATZBLATT 7 is an axial plan view of the dosing body of FIG. 6 in the direction of Pfei les VII,

8 shows a further dosing body with a scale,

9 is a side view of a cap and partially cut,

Fig. 10 is a bottom view of the cap shown in Fig. 9 in the direction αes Pfe les

11 is an axial cross section through a container,

12 is an axial plan view of the container of FIG. 11 in the direction of Pfei les XII and shown reduced,

13 is a top view of the marking body shown in FIG. 1,

Fig. 14 is a section along the line A-A of Fig. 13 and the

15 to 17 different variants, FIGS. 15 and 17 being a longitudinal section through the lower part of a container, each with an embodiment of a metering device according to the invention, FIG. 16 being a perspective of another exemplary embodiment.

SPARE BLADE 1, a bulk goods container 62 which is symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis A has a container space 51 closed at the bottom by a funnel bottom 18, below which a metering device 1 is arranged. The funnel 18 has an outlet opening 39 which is penetrated by an axial slide 40 which has an actuating section 38 on its underside. Above the operating portion 38 is provided a discharge opening 40 through which the metered ^'bulk material in a predetermined amount into the interior of the hollow portion

38 is dispensable.

As indicated stπ chliert ^', the slider 40 can be from the position shown in full lines Be Ladeste l lung move in a dashed line indicated emptying. In the latter, a slide section 43 aligned with the actuating section 38 closes the same together with a cylinder wall 22 surrounding it on the underside of the outlet opening 39. At the same time, the dispensing opening 34 then lies at the level of the metering body 28, which encloses a metering space 11 of a predetermined volume. This dosing body 28 and its dosing chamber 11 surround the underside of the outlet opening which is continued downward through the cylinder wall 22

39 at least partially, i.e. the dosing body 28 can, but need not, run around the entire circumference around the container axis A.

While through the walls 22 and 43 and preferably a further guide wall 32 adjoining the underside of the metering body 28, not only is a more secure one

REPLACEMENT LEAF Closure of the openings 34 and 39 is achieved, but also a relatively long and since it does not tilt the slide 40, a further guide is provided above the slide wall 43. This has on the top of the slide 40 a Ha Lteabs chni tt 42, which in the loading position shown together with the cylinder wall 22 delimits the outlet opening 39 through which in this position of the slide 40 the container chamber 51 is connected to the metering chamber 11.

For this purpose, the cylinder section 22 is provided on its underside with a di erecting wall apron 24 which closes off the dosing space 1 ^~ ϊ at the top. This wall 24 is followed by a connecting wall 29 (see FIGS. 1, 6), which is adjustably connected to the conical apron 24, as will be explained later.

From the periphery of the outlet opening 39 (which is arranged here centrally to the axis A, but can also be arranged eccentrically if desired), a number of webs 52 extend not only radially over the outlet opening 39, but also upwards into the container space 51. At the upper end, the webs (only one is shown) 52 carry an annular guide neck 60, into which the upper end of the holding section 42 is inserted and guided therein.

The guide neck 50 has yet another function. To prevent the slide from being pulled out unintentionally

_ERS ATZBLATT To prevent 40 or the holding section 42, the latter expediently has at its upper end spring pawls 46, which come with their stop surfaces 48 'to bear against an end counter-stop surface 48 of the neck section 50 and prevent a further lowering of the slide 40. In order to enable the slide 40 to be dismantled, the stop faces 48 'can be selected 11 s slightly beveled so that they act less as a lock but rather as a releasable latch. Another possibility could be to arrange the webs with the neck part 50 on a cylindrical screw i L which can be screwed into the cylinder wall 22 and which together with the slide wall 43 closes the outlet opening in the empty end of the slide 40 and, if necessary, unscrewed it can. However, the embodiment shown is therefore more advantageous, white oil between the screw part and the cylinder wall 22, albeit a smaller one, would result in a gap in which powder accumulates, which is difficult to remove again and therefore can impair hygiene. It goes without saying that, alternatively, the counter abutment surface 48 can also be chamfered to make it detachable.

The neck portion 50 can finally serve a third purpose, in that a compression spring 44 is supported on it, which presses the slide 40 downward into the loading position shown. On the underside, the spring 44 is supported on a shoulder 41 ', to which is preferably connected an inclined surface 41 which, in the loading position, guides the bulk material into the metering space 11, on the other hand when the bulk material is pushed upwards (sliding) relieved and thus reduced the resistance to sliding the slide 40.

REPLACEMENT LEAF It should be noted that the training of the spring pawls 48 is facilitated by the fact that at least the holding section 42 with the pawls 50, but preferably the entire container with the metering device, is made of plastic, so that the inherent elasticity of the material is utilized can be used without mutually movable bearing parts.

4 that kei l-shaped incisions 45 are formed between the spring pawls 46, which enable an evasive movement of the pawls 46 towards the container axis A. 4 and 5 further illustrate that in the region of the discharge opening 34 connecting ribs 35 are provided which connect the slide section 43 to the actuation section 38 and leave the discharge openings 34 in between.

The actuating section 38 advantageously has on its underside an actuating flange 54, on the one hand to enlarge the actuating area without having to reach for the edge of the actuating section 38 itself, and on the other hand possibly to have a bellows 36 on a circular web 56 that can be seen in FIG. 1 to be supported. The bellows 36 can also combine two functions, namely, on the one hand, to cover the interior and to prevent leakage of bulk material with certainty, on the other hand, it can be configured as an elastic pressure member to support or replace the spring 44. Upwards, this bellows 36 is expediently supported on the metering body 28.

REPLACEMENT LEAF From Figs. 1 to 3 it can be seen that the funnel 18 is screwed to the container 52 via a threaded flange 8, so that it can be removed for cleaning purposes. Of course, a latching would also be conceivable. Further illustrating the Fig. 2, that the funnel 18 has on the outer side of its hopper bottom surface, a circumferential detent groove 14 with an adjoining detent 20 to ppe a 9 and 10 apparent Abdeckka from FIGS. ^'12 with an engaging into the groove 14 U catch bead 20 'to be able to attach. This cap 12 serves two purposes: On the one hand, it covers the actuating parts and slide parts, thus preventing undesired actuation. On the other hand, with its base 58 (FIG. 1) and advantageously with three feet attached to it, for example made of adhesive material such as rubber (three feet 16 can be seen in FIG. 10), it forms a safe and widened standing area for the user Container 62. If necessary, it can also serve as a container, filling vessel or the like.

As already mentioned, the dosing space 11 is delimited at the top by the wall apron 24. This bears advantageously a thread 26 on its outside, onto which an internal thread 25 shown in FIG. 6 can be unscrewed. The internal thread 26 is formed on the connecting wall 29 mentioned, which is approximately cylindrical and merges downward into a funnel wall 24 '. By screwing the two threads 25, 26, the distance between the two walls 24 and 24 'can thus be adjusted in order to be able to adapt the volume of the metering space enclosed between them to different metering sizes, instead of the continuously adjustable thread, an adjustment in would also be possible Steps possible through several bayonet locks arranged one above the other. A resilient latching nose 27 or, as shown in FIG. 7, at least two of them is expediently provided on the upper side of the connecting wall 29 and prevents the metering body from being removed unintentionally. At most, an annular groove runs around the funnel wall 24 ', which receives the bellows 36 (FIG. 1) with its upper end. As shown in FIG. 8, the connecting wall 29 can have a scale 29 ′ which, with the connecting wall 29 being displaced into the thread 26 of the apron 24, moves upwards, while the apron 24 bears a marking, for example a horizontal line, which indicates the scale 29 'shows the size of the volume set. To do this, the connecting wall would have to be made of transparent material. Alternatively, the scale 29 'can run around the connecting wall 19, while, for example, an indicator needle protrudes outwards and downwards on the funnel-shaped base surface 18 and indicates the corresponding volume on the scale. Finally, the scale 29' shown can also be represented by a transparent one - Connecting wall 29 visible and attached to the apron 24, while the connecting wall 29 carries a marking line or a display mark 29 ".

To facilitate changing dosages (especially for baby food), as can be seen from FIGS. 11 to 13, in the cover area of the container 62 a cross section, for example, a dovetail-shaped locking web can be formed, which carries the marking body 70. The locking web 72 extends in an arc shape, so that the marking body 70 can be moved along this web 72. The footbridge may have a time division (to determine the period of a person's life

SUBSTITUTE SHEET Child's necessary dosing room 11) or be provided with a volume division. For example, the user can mark the daily consumption. The marking body has two opposing locking teeth 76 and 78 which define a locking groove 74 (see FIG. 14).

The closure can advantageously consist of injection-molded plastic parts.

The procedure for using the closure is as follows: The container 62 shown in Fig. 11 is filled with a flowable agent, e.g. Powder, filled. The closure 1 (Fig. 1) is then connected to the container, e.g. by screwing or snapping on. After removal of the cap 12, the section 38 can be connected to the inlet opening of a baby bottle. The outer diameter of section 38 is dimensioned here so that its end piece fits into the inlet opening of a bottle. Thereupon force is exerted on the container 62, namely in the vertical direction downwards, whereby the outlet opening 34 is opened and the agent can flow out of the cavity 11 n the bottle. Since the volume of the cavity 11 can be adjusted with a high degree of accuracy, the user knows after actuation how much agent has been dispensed into the bottle. The cap 12 is then connected to the funnel 18. Since the cap 12 surrounds the funnel on all sides, it is ensured that the slide 40 is not contaminated. The bottom 58 of the cap 52 is flat so that the container can be stored vertically.

ER _S ATZB _L ATT It has already been mentioned at the beginning that the guidance of a rotary operator may in itself meet the requirements, but in general the simplicity and stability in operation are not given. 15 shows how a rotary valve 140 can be actuated in the sense of the invention. Here parts having the same function have the same reference numerals as in the figures discussed above, parts having a similar function have the same reference numerals, but with the addition of a hundred digit.

The rotary slide 140 is rotatable under a container 162 in a slide housing 132. A gear wheel 80 (or a gear wheel 80 on each side), which is only indicated, is attached coaxially with it. With this gear 80, a rack 81 is engaged, which is articulated on an actuating lever 82. The actuating lever 82 can be actuated in the sense of a pipe P in the direction parallel to the container axis A against the force of a spring 144, the length of the toothed rack and the diameter of the gear 80 being such that when the rotary slide 140 is depressed it is rotated by 180 ° the container opening 139 closes in the course of this rotation, but opens the discharge opening 134.

The actuating lever 82 can be designed in various ways. Here it is articulated on a bearing rib 83 and can be pivoted about a bearing journal 84; however, it could also be slidable in a straight line. Furthermore, it is provided with a funnel 85 which guides the bulk material into a dispensing opening 86. Alternatively, its

REPLACEMENT LEAF Inclination when actuated in the direction of arrow P can be used to guide the bulk material down over it to the left.

16 that on the one hand a container 262 does not necessarily have to have a funnel, but an inclined surface 218 is sufficient. In some cases, an upward cone could also be useful. As in the case of FIG. 15, a metering body 228 is provided, which moves relative to the container 262. For this purpose the dosing container 228 is provided with a e.g. in a dovetail guide of the container 262, sliding guide slide 240 connected.

In the illustrated Be ladeste l Lung the metering of the Dos is i erkörpers 228 a stπ ^'chliert outlet shown 238 at the lower end of the inclined surface 218 opposite, so that bulk material from the container space above the inclined surface 218 and the off Laßöffnung 239 flow into the metering body 228 can. The container 262 can be gripped with one hand on a handle 87 and, by means of the thumb, an actuating pin 238 can be moved downwards in the direction of the arrow P until the dosing body 228 rests on an inclined stop surface 88. In this position, the dosing chamber of the body 228 is opposite a discharge opening 234, the bulk material contained in hm being guided downwards along an inclined channel 89. A particularly simplified embodiment is shown here, in which a return spring 44 or 144 has also been dispensed with and the dosing body 228 has to be moved upwards by hand.

REPLACEMENT LEAF In principle, a container of the type shown in FIG. 1 can also be designed in such a way that the dosing body is displaced in place of the simple seal 40, although the former is preferred. Such an example is illustrated in FIG. 17. Here, the cylinder wall 322 is relatively long, the slide wall 343 is relatively short, and carries the metering body 328 on its underside. The entire slide device is moved downward into the shown emptying position counter to a compression spring 344 via an actuating button 33-8 displaceable, in which the interior of the metering body 328 lies opposite the discharge openings 334, whereas in the upper (not shown) loading position a similar gap-like connecting opening is created as the outlet opening of the container chamber 51 at the end of the funnel 18, as is shown in FIG 1 has been explained. The bulk material emerging via the discharge opening 334 then arrives again at a funnel 90 and is discharged from it via a funnel opening 91.

Numerous modifications are possible within the scope of the invention; the rack 81 (FIG. 15) can be held in engagement with the gear 80 either merely by its own weight or by a load spring.

Fig. 15 also shows that the dosing chamber is cylindrical, extends transversely to the container axis A and can be connected on the radial side to the container opening 139 or the opposite discharge opening 134 and that in the dosing chamber the zy li nde rFORMi rotary valve with a radial opening is stored. The rotary valve 140 is between two operating positions

REPLACEMENT LEAF pivotable, wherein he cumulates in the first operating position with the container opening and in the second operating position with the discharge opening. The rotary slide valve is designed on the radial side to be complementary to the metering chamber.

The dosing chamber has an axial opening which is matched to the outside diameter of the rotary valve and through which the rotary valve can be introduced into the dosing chamber. The rotary valve can be pivoted about a fixed axis.

The rotary slide valve has two opposing, parallel to its axis of rotation and laterally offset cylin- der-shaped pins (not shown) which protrude outwards from the metering chamber. These pins are guided in control curves of the actuating device when the actuating device carries out linear reciprocating movements in the direction of the container axis A. The control curves are formed in the opposite inner walls of the hollow body-like actuating device.

The length of the control curves corresponds to the path that the respective pin travels when the rotary valve is moved from one operating position to the other. The curves are matched to the movement of the pins.

REPLACEMENT LEAF

Claims

A n s p ü c h e Dosing device on a bulk material container (62) for granular or powdery material, the latter having a container space (51) closed off by a container base (18) along a container axis (A), from the bulk material over a downward direction to an out Let opening (39) leading oblique surface of the container bottom (18) in an underlying dosing chamber (11) with the dosing amount of bulk material corresponding volume can be dispensed with a slide device for generating a relative displacement between the outlet opening (39) closing or releasing wall parts with Hi an actuating device (38, 54), namely from a loading position in which the container space (51) and the metering space (11) are connected to one another via the outlet opening (39), into an emptying position in which the connection between the metering space ( 11) and the container space (51) is interrupted, whereas the metering space (11) is connected to a discharge opening (34), characterized in that the actuating device (38, 54; 138; 38; 338) can be moved in or parallel to the container axis (A). Device according to claim 1, characterized in REPLACEMENT LEAF that the dosing chamber (11) connected to the container (62) and by means of the actuating device a boundary wall at least for the Outlet opening (39), possibly also for the Dispensing opening (34), relative to the Dos i erräum (11) is displaceable and / or that the Seh ubereinri device (1) together Actuator (38, 54) coaxial with the Behä Iterac se (A) is arranged, wherein preferably the metering chamber (11) below the outlet opening (39), the axis (A) is arranged at least partially surrounding. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the slide device (1) the outlet opening (39) and that at least one of the following features is provided: a) the slide device (1) has an inclined surface (41) which is inclined downwards relative to the metering space (11); b) the outlet opening (39) has a cylinder wall (22) guiding the sliding device (1), to which a boundary wall (24) of the metering chamber (11) expediently connects. 4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inclined surface of the container bottom (18) is funnel-like around the outlet opening (39) and E _R SET BLADE that preferably extend over the outlet opening (39), webs (52), in particular into the container space (51), which have a guide (50) for the actuating device (38, 54) ^* or the pusher device (1 ), whereby the guide (50) carried by the webs (52) expediently has an end face (48) which has a stop surface for a counter stop surface (48 ') on at least one spring pawl (46) passing through the guide (50). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating device (38, 54) consists of the Loading position against the force of one Loading device (36,44) is movable and that preferably a compression spring (44) between the Guide (50) and a shoulder (41 ') of the Seh e eberei direction (1) and / or the actuating device (38,54) is a flange (54), on which there is an elastic pressure body (36) supports. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metering space (11) is delimited by at least two walls (24, 24 ') which can be adjusted relative to one another and that preferably the two walls (24, 24') lying opposite one another are displaceable and in of the respective position fixable ER _SA TZBLATT The connecting wall (29) can be adjusted to one another, to which the latter one of the two walls (24 ') is fixed, the connecting wall (29) in particular carrying a thread (25) which fits into a wall (24) which is adjustable relative to it. connected mating thread (26) engages and expediently a metering indicator (29 ", 29") is connected to the mutually adjustable parts (24, 24 ', 29) for displaying the contents of the metering space (11). 7- Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating device (38, 54) can be covered by means of a, preferably having a support surface (58), cap (12), which in particular with a seen in the container (62) vo Counter locking surfaces (20) locking locking surface (20 ') is provided. 8. Dosing device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the dosing chamber is cylindrical, extends transversely to the container axis (A) and can be connected on the radial side to the container opening or the opposite discharge opening, and that in the dosing chamber a cylindrical rotary valve ( 140) is mounted with a radial opening. Dosing device according to claim 8, characterized in REPLACEMENT LEAF that the rotary slide valve (140) can be pivoted between two operating positions, wherein it communicates with the container opening in the first operating position and with the dispensing opening in the second operating position. 10. Dos i e rvo r device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the rotary valve (140) on the radial side is formed ente r to the dosing chamber. 11. Metering device according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the metering chamber has an axial opening which is matched to the outer diameter of the rotary valve (140) and through which the rotary valve (140) can be introduced into the metering chamber. 12. Dosing device according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the rotary slide (140) is pivotable about a fixed axis. 13. Metering device according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the rotary slide valve (140) has two opposite, parallel to its axis of rotation and laterally offset zy l i nderiformi ge pins that protrude from the metering chamber to the outside, and REPLACEMENT LEAF that these pins are guided in control curves of the actuating device when the actuating device makes linear reciprocating movements in the direction of the container axis (A). 14. Dosing device according to one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the control curves in the opposite inner walls of the hollow body Actuator are trained. 15. Dosing device according to one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the length of the curves corresponds to the path which the respective pin stored when the rotary valve (140) is moved from its one operating position into its other. 16. Dos i e rvorri device according to one of claims 8 to 15, characterized in that the curves are matched to the movement of the pin. 17- Use of a metering device according to one of claims 1 to 16 for a household container. REPLACEMENT LEAF